• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제43권2호
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• pp.305-311
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• 2019

Background: Gintonin is a ginseng-derived exogenous ligand of the G protein-coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor. We previously reported that gintonin stimulates gliotransmitter release in primary cortical astrocytes. Astrocytes play key roles in the functions of neurovascular systems. Although vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known to influence the normal growth and maintenance of cranial blood vessels and the nervous system, there is little information about the effect of gintonin on VEGF regulation in primary astrocytes, under normal and hypoxic conditions. Methods: Using primary cortical astrocytes of mice, the effects of gintonin on the release, expression, and distribution of VEGF were examined. We further investigated whether the gintonin-mediated VEGF release protects astrocytes from hypoxia. Results: Gintonin administration stimulated the release and expression of VEGF from astrocytes in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The gintonin-mediated increase in the release of VEGF was inhibited by the LPA1/3 receptor antagonist, Ki16425; phospholipase C inhibitor, U73122; inositol 1,4,5- triphosphate receptor antagonist, 2-APB; and intracellular $Ca^{2+}$ chelator, BAPTA. Hypoxia further stimulated astrocytic VEGF release. Gintonin treatment stimulated additional VEGF release and restored cell viability that had decreased due to hypoxia, via the VEGF receptor pathway. Altogether, the regulation of VEGF release and expression and astrocytic protection mediated by gintonin under hypoxia are achieved via the LPA receptor-VEGF signaling pathways. Conclusion: The present study shows that the gintonin-mediated regulation of VEGF in cortical astrocytes might be neuroprotective against hypoxic insults and could explain the molecular basis of the beneficial effects of ginseng on the central nervous system.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.390-400
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• 2021

Background: We recently showed that gintonin, an active ginseng ingredient, exhibits antibrain neurodegenerative disease effects including multiple target mechanisms such as antioxidative stress and antiinflammation via the lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a spinal disease characterized by neurodegenerative changes in motor neurons with subsequent skeletal muscle paralysis and death. However, pathophysiological mechanisms of ALS are still elusive, and therapeutic drugs have not yet been developed. We investigate the putative alleviating effects of gintonin in ALS. Methods: The G93A-SOD1 transgenic mouse ALS model was used. Gintonin (50 or 100 mg/kg/day, p.o.) administration started from week seven. We performed histological analyses, immunoblot assays, and behavioral tests. Results: Gintonin extended mouse survival and relieved motor dysfunctions. Histological analyses of spinal cords revealed that gintonin increased the survival of motor neurons, expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factors, choline acetyltransferase, NeuN, and Nissl bodies compared with the vehicle control. Gintonin attenuated elevated spinal NAD(P) quinone oxidoreductase 1 expression and decreased oxidative stress-related ferritin, ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1-immunoreactive microglia, S100β-immunoreactive astrocyte, and Olig2-immunoreactive oligodendrocytes compared with the control vehicle. Interestingly, we found that the spinal LPA1 receptor level was decreased, whereas gintonin treatment restored decreased LPA1 receptor expression levels in the G93A-SOD1 transgenic mouse, thereby attenuating neurological symptoms and histological deficits. Conclusion: Gintonin-mediated symptomatic improvements of ALS might be associated with the attenuations of neuronal loss and oxidative stress via the spinal LPA1 receptor regulations. The present results suggest that the spinal LPA1 receptor is engaged in ALS, and gintonin may be useful for relieving ALS symptoms.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제45권3호
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• pp.401-407
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• 2021

Background: Gintonin is an exogenous ginseng-derived G-protein-coupled lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptor ligand. LPA induces in vitro morphological changes and migration through neuronal LPA1 receptor. Recently, we reported that systemic administration of gintonin increases blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability via the paracellular pathway and its binding to brain neurons. However, little is known about the influences of gintonin on in vivo neuron morphology and migration in the brain. Materials and methods: We examined the effects of gintonin on in vitro migration and morphology using primary hippocampal neural precursor cells (hNPC) and in vivo effects of gintonin on adult brain neurons using real time microscopic analysis and immunohistochemical analysis to observe the morphological and locational changes induced by gintonin treatment. Results: We found that treating hNPCs with gintonin induced morphological changes with a cell rounding following cell aggregation and return to individual neurons with time relapses. However, the in vitro effects of gintonin on hNPCs were blocked by the LPA1/3 receptor antagonist, Ki16425, and Rho kinase inhibitor, Y27632. We also examined the in vivo effects of gintonin on the morphological changes and migration of neurons in adult mouse brains using anti-NeuN and -neurofilament H antibodies. We found that acute intravenous administration of gintonin induced morphological and migrational changes in brain neurons. Gintonin induced some migrations of neurons with shortened neurofilament H in the cortex. The in vivo effects of gintonin were also blocked by Ki16425. Conclusion: The present report raises the possibility that gintonin could enter the brain and exert its influences on the migration and morphology of adult mouse brain neurons and possibly explains the therapeutic effects of neurological diseases behind the gintonin administration.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• 제47권3호
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• pp.366-375
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• 2023

Background: Ginseng contains three active components: ginsenosides, gintonin, and polysaccharides. After the separation of 1 of the 3 ingredient fractions, other fractions are usually discarded as waste. In this study, we developed a simple and effective method, called the ginpolin protocol, to separate gintonin-enriched fraction (GEF), ginseng polysaccharide fraction (GPF), and crude ginseng saponin fraction (cGSF). Methods: Dried ginseng (1 kg) was extracted using 70% ethanol (EtOH). The extract was water fractionated to obtain a water-insoluble precipitate (GEF). The upper layer after GEF separation was precipitated with 80% EtOH for GPF preparation, and the remaining upper layer was vacuum dried to obtain cGSF. Results: The yields of GEF, GPF, and cGSF were 14.8, 54.2, and 185.3 g, respectively, from 333 g EtOH extract. We quantified the active ingredients of 3 fractions: L-arginine, galacturonic acid, ginsenosides, glucuronic acid, lysophosphatidic acid (LPA), phosphatidic acid (PA), and polyphenols. The order of the LPA, PA, and polyphenol content was GEF > cGSF > GPF. The order of L-arginine and galacturonic acid was GPF >> GEF = cGSF. Interestingly, GEF contained a high amount of ginsenoside Rb1, whereas cGSF contained more ginsenoside Rg1. GEF and cGSF, but not GPF, induced intracellular [Ca²⁺]_i transient with antiplatelet activity. The order of antioxidant activity was GPF > GEF = cGSF. Immunological activities (related to nitric oxide production, phagocytosis, and IL-6 and TNF-α release) were, in order, GPF > GEF = cGSF. The neuroprotective ability (against reactive oxygen species) order was GEF > cGSP > GPF. Conclusion: We developed a novel ginpolin protocol to isolate 3 fractions in batches and determined that each fraction has distinct biological effects.

• 한국의학물리학회지:의학물리
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• 제19권2호
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• pp.95-101
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• 2008

본 기초연구에서는 강제수영검사(forced swimming test, FST)에 의해 우울증이 유발된 쥐의 해마(hippocampus) 부위에서 뇌 대사물질(brain metabolites)중에 choline 신호의 변화를 관찰하였다. 본 연구의 목적은 우울증이 유발된 쥐에 항우울제인 desipramine-HCl을 투여하여 정상 쥐와 약물을 투여한 쥐 사이의 뇌 대사물질의 차이를 자기공명분광법(magnetic resonance spectroscopy: MRS)을 통하여 알아보는 것이다. 실험대상으로는 6주령의 SD rat을 사용하였으며 우울증을 유발시키고 항우울제의 약물평가를 위한 모델링 방법으로 강제수영검사를 시행하였다. 자기공명분광법을 시행하기 위한 localization 방법으로는 PRESS 펄스시퀀스를 사용하였다(TR: 2,500 ms, TE: 144 ms, averaging: 512, complex data point: 2048, scan time: 25 min). 정상 쥐 그룹과 우울증을 유발시킨 뒤 항우울제를 투여한 쥐 그룹 모두 양쪽 해마부위에서의 NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr 비율(ratio)은 차이가 나지 않았다. 또한 왼쪽 해마에서 정상 쥐와 항우울제를 투여한 쥐 사이에서 NAA/Cr, Cho/Cr 비율도 차이가 나지 않았고, 오른쪽 해마부위에서도 통계적으로 유의한 차이가 없었다. 본 연구를 통하여 anti-immobility효과를 나타내는 항우울제를 투여함으로써 choline 신호가 정상 쥐와 비슷하게 회복되는 것을 관찰하였다. 이는 앞으로의 항우울제 약물 평가에 있어 자기공명분광법을 도입함으로써 기존의 주관적인 판단을 배제할 수 없었던 행동변화분석만으로 항우울제의 효과를 평가하는 방법에 비해 객관적이고 정량적인 분석을 할 수 있다는 점에서 아주 유용한 방법이라 사료된다.

• Investigative Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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• 제18권4호
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• pp.341-351
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• 2014

목적 : 섬유근통 증후군의 치료에 주로 쓰이는 두 계열의 약물인 Milnacipran (이하 MLN)과 Pregabalin (이하 PGB)의 환자 투여에 따른 약물 치료 효과를 뇌 활성도 변화의 비교 분석을 통해 비교하였다. 대상 및 방법 : 섬유근통 증후군 환자 20명을 대상으로 진행하였으며 20명의 환자 중 약물 치료 군에 따라 MLN 치료군 10명과 PGB 치료군 7명으로 분류하였다. 모든 환자군은 섬유근통 증후군 이외의 요인을 배제하기 위해 정신건강 의학과적 평가를 통해 선별된 후 섬유근통 진단을 위한 임상적 평가가 진행 되었다. 기능적 자기공명영상의 촬영 시 엄지손가락에 블록 형태의 압통 자극을 가해 주었고 영상은 약물 치료 전과 약물 치료 후에 각각 획득하였다. 영상 획득 후 일련의 전처리 과정을 거쳐 약물 치료 전후의 자기공명 혈중산소치의존 (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent, 이하 BOLD) 신호 비교를 위한 대응표본 t-검정과 두 표본 t-검정을 실시 하였다. 결과 : 임상적 평가에 있어 약물 치료 전에는 두 그룹간에 유의한 차이가 나지 않았으며 약물 치료 후 전신통증지수 (Widespread Pain Index, WPI)와 대상자 스스로 피로도를 평가하는 검사 (Brief Fatigue Inventory, BFI)에서 PGB군에 유의한 수준으로 낮게 나타났다. 기능적 영상 분석에 있어 약물 치료 후의 영상 비교 결과 앞 띠이랑과 대뇌섬을 포함한 영역에서 PGB군이 높은 활성도를 보였다. 또한 약물 치료 전후 효과 비교에서는 MLN군에서 대뇌섬, 시상을 포함한 영역에서 치료 후 BOLD 신호가 감소하는 경향을 볼 수 있었지만 PGB군에서는 MLN에 비해 감소된 영역의 수와 크기가 비교적 작게 나타났다. 결론 : 전체 결과에서 두 치료군 모두 증상이 호전되는 경향을 나타냈으나 임상적 평가와 기능적 영상 평가에서 서로 다른 경향을 나타내었다. 이는 두 약물 치료 기전과 세부 치료 목적이 다르고, 전체 환자 수의 부족으로 인한 임상적 평가와의 낮은 상관관계에 의한 영향으로 보이며 이러한 영향을 최소화 시킨다면 두 약물 간의 정확한 치료 효과 비교를 할 수 있을 것으로 예상된다.